Topical Bible: All Christians should be As Missionaries: Aquila

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Introduction

Aquila, a prominent figure in the New Testament, serves as a compelling example of how all Christians are called to be missionaries in their own right. His life and ministry, alongside his wife Priscilla, demonstrate the vital role of laypeople in the spread of the Gospel and the establishment of the early Church. Aquila's account is primarily found in the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles, where his dedication to the mission of Christ is evident.

Background

Aquila was a Jew from Pontus, a region in modern-day Turkey. He and his wife Priscilla are first introduced in Acts 18:2: "There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them." This passage highlights their displacement due to the edict of Claudius, which inadvertently positioned them to meet the Apostle Paul in Corinth.

Tentmakers and Missionaries

Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers by trade, a profession they shared with Paul. Acts 18:3 states, "And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked with them, for they were tentmakers by trade." This common occupation facilitated a close partnership with Paul, allowing them to support themselves while engaging in missionary work. Their example underscores the principle that one's vocation can be a platform for ministry, demonstrating that all Christians, regardless of their profession, are called to be missionaries.

Teaching and Discipleship

Aquila and Priscilla's commitment to the Gospel is further illustrated in their role as teachers and disciplers. In Acts 18:24-26, they encounter Apollos, an eloquent speaker and knowledgeable in the Scriptures, yet lacking a complete understanding of the Gospel: "When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." Their willingness to invest in Apollos' spiritual growth exemplifies the missionary call to teach and disciple others, ensuring the accurate transmission of the faith.

Church in Their Home

Aquila and Priscilla also hosted a church in their home, as noted in 1 Corinthians 16:19: "The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets at their house." This hospitality and commitment to fostering a community of believers highlight the importance of using one's resources and home for the advancement of the Gospel. Their home became a center for worship, teaching, and fellowship, embodying the missionary spirit of the early Church.

Partnership with Paul

Aquila's partnership with Paul extended beyond Corinth. In Romans 16:3-4, Paul writes, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them." This commendation from Paul underscores their significant contribution to the missionary efforts and their willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. Their partnership with Paul illustrates the collaborative nature of missionary work, where each believer plays a crucial role in the broader mission of the Church.

Conclusion

Aquila's life and ministry serve as a powerful reminder that all Christians are called to be missionaries, regardless of their circumstances or professions. His example of hospitality, teaching, and partnership in the Gospel mission provides a model for believers to follow in their own lives, demonstrating that the call to spread the Gospel is universal and integral to the Christian faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 18:26
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him to them, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... objection; for if it must be admitted, the lawful inference will not necessarily
be, that Christians of all classes and in great numbers should not go ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul ...
... view of the daily life of the primitive Christians in a ... goddess Diana should be despised,
and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the conversion of.htm

Acts XVIII
... in strict discharge of his duty, should have suppressed ... law, which it would be improper
for Christians to observe ... them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xviii.htm

The Women of the Apostolic Age
... natural functions are tainted with evil and should be ignored ... was the meeting place
of the Christians of Ephesus. ... a slave girl, who was in all probability what ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ii the women of the.htm

The Third Continental Journey, or the Journey to Greece.
... three months as pastor of a little handful of Christians. ... this, they told us that
we should just meet ... acknowledgments, and through me those of all your friends ...
/.../chapter xi the third continental.htm

[Endnotes]
... of Ephesus (Acts 20:25) and told them they should "see his ... 167:1] The Christians
were familiar ... manner, as the authors of the conflagration, at all events would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... studiously sought after and searched out all the Christian ... derisively: "Do walls
then make Christians?" And this ... inquiry, and feared lest he should be denied ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm